The Man That Hated Lemons | Cave Johnson | Full Portal Lore 

If you enjoyed this and would like more Portal lore - then please consider liking, sharing and subscribing! It would be high appreciated. I DONT WANT YOUR DAMN LEMONS

The fact that we do not even see Cave at all but we know everything about him as a character is a testament to how good portals writing is

I absolutely love Cave's ridiculous strategy. Just get a bunch of scientist, give them an absurd amount of funds, and tell them to "do science"

"Science isn't about why - it's about why not. Why is so much of our science dangerous? Why not marry safe science if you love it so much? In fact, why not invent a special safety door that won't hit you in the butt on the way out, because you are fired!" Cave, Johnson

The fact that even Cave, as someone without a science background, knows the risks of a resonance cascade shows just how risky Black mesa was being with their exsperiments. He even tells them to "use common sence" and that is rich from Cave Johnson. When life gives ya lemons, make science-aid.

I still can't believe black Mesa and aperture were seriously competing labs

Cave will live on in our lemonries.

I heard a theory that; what if the gels needed time to become non toxic, since when Chell deals with the gels she is covered in it during a few puzzles, so either she will be riddled with tumors after her escape, or the gels have become less toxic over the decades it sat their waiting.

you see this portal gun? i spent years facilitating the incredible physics breakthroughs that make it possible. do they call me the man who created the portal gun? no. you see these test chambers? i spent decades building them up, pouring funds and brains into creating the most devilishly challenging test chambers known to man. do they call me the man who created incredible test chambers? no. you see this company, Aperture Science? i spent near enough my whole life building it up from the ground. turning it into something grand, something truly incredible, something that pushed far beyond the bounds of what was thought possible. do they call me the man who created Aperture Science? no. but you rant about lemons *_one time._*

Cave Johnson is what would happen if Ron Burgundy got into science.

I like how valve was able to create such a legitimately tragic and morally gray iconic character and make him an absolute doofus without damaging our suspension of disbilief of his arc, in my opinion, the hole underground section from portal 2 has to be the single best written story on gaming history, one of the funniest, and also the only time I've ever cried while playing a video game, I don't think there's another game that has been able to work as well as portal 2

He is the real villain of Portal if you think about it, but his character is so endearing nobody ever really notices.

Its still funny that 'wacky' Aperture keeps creating useful and reliable stuff, while 'professional' Black Mesa struggles at every step of the way with making things useable. I mean, think about it: While Black mesa was struggeling with keeping their computers even running, Aperture had already developed Artificial Intelligence (Personallity Spheres had to exist back when GLaDOS was killed the facility the second time, which was at bring your pets/kids to work day, which means that the 7 hour war can't have happened yet... Except you wanna suggest Aperture survived the apocalypse and was able to keep working with human staff and such a thing as homes to go to afterward. Apertures Portals are instant, reliable, reasonable safe and you actually know where they lead to because you can look trough them! Unlike Black Mesas Teleportation, which does not allow you to see where you are going and is not exactly fast, coming with side effects like the end of the world as well. Its only advantage is that you can do it fully from one side, and don't have to set the exit at least once manually. Apertures turrets are the consumer version, even if still described as military androids. They can identify targets, shoot the full bullet and can hold a conversation. We are unsure if the HECU Sentries are a Black Mesa, Aperture or unaffiliated product. A lot of Aperture technologies work with nearly no power. They can keep most of an AI alive with a potato battery build by a moron. A moron they also invented! They have backup plans and emergency protocols running so far as the extinction of humanity and takeover of another sentient people stumbeling onto the testtrack. Which, even overgrown after the AI in charge of it got turned off, still worked. Mostly. The gels are theoretically rather useful stuff. Especially the orange one. Friction reduction would be useful in a LOT of fields. Anti Gravity Funnels. Bridges and walls made out of daylight. Emanicipation Grills are a really great thing, able to differenciate between You, your Clothes and things it will not allow to pass... Like potentionally your eardrums, but still, the fact that it can even pick out specifically the eardrumms is incredible. So much potential in that alone... What inventions has Black Mesa to show? Guns, a really nice transit system (that is late, assuming it is not just gordon), and interdimensional teleportation... Of course, the Earth Prime version of Aperture did the multiverse travel, but we don't drag them in or this would be totally one-sided. Same for all the side-games which feature Aperture stuff. Black Mesa probably also made some nifty things, but I feel like their stuff is mainly experimental weaponry.

Cave is my favorite Portal character. A prequel about him and the origins of Aperture would be cool, but It'd be strange to see an actual character model of Cave. I'm just too used to him as a disembodied voice, I guess. :P

Cave Johnsson is better at sales pitches and the delivery of them than Billy Mays, whoever did the voice acting of him did a phenomenal job.

*Virgin Black Mesa:* we take care of our workers and scientists, and so about our experiments! (Ends up killing everyone and destroying the world) *Chad Aperture:* We throw science at the wall and see what sticks, no matter of cost! (Creates ground breaking device and facility that still lives centuries on)

26:35 - God, that little crack in his voice. It's so much. A broken man, lashing out at life and everything. It reminds me of homeworld in a way, that line right at the start "All orbital facilities destroyed."

"I am gonna burn your house! With the lemons! I'm gonna get all my engineers to invent a combustible lemon!"

Cave Johnson comes across toem like someone who knows how to be successful and get the job done but getting obssesed with such things, makes him unhinged and finally turning him into someone full of anger out of frustation that drives into eventual failure. Anyway, great character and the lemons monologue is superb.

Think it's cool you're re-doing old vids with new info, show's just how much the channel has grown. Great vid

Jk Simmons voice acting is freaking great.

The interesting thing with the half life/portal universe is literally anything is possible. Cave could come in and save the day, the combine could be trapped in a universe where portal technology can never be created, alternate universe could show up and affect stalemates etc. Valve leaning really heavy into the multiverse nature of the combine and by proxy the universe leaves literally endless possibilities. Also kinda funny aperture from some universes skipped through the multiverse with no real reprocussions while black mesa makes one big leap into it and instantly alerts the combine. Weve likely never seen the actual combine species, what a twist would it be if the origin of the combine were actually just aperture from another universe.

I love how in the LEMONS part, when Cave says his name, his name appears on screen

That picture of young cave Johnson really looks like an inspiring figure :)

The more I learn about Elon Musk, the more I realize he's not so much a RL Tony Stark as a RL Cave Johnson.

Now that im thinking about it, Cave technically died of pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

You can sort of interact with Cave in Lego Dimensions. Every level has a bonus character you need to rescue for 100% completion. In the bonus Portal level, you can rescue a personality core with Cave's voice. The core claims that Cave survived long enough to transfer his consciousness into the core. That seems to have worked out better for him than that giant robot head.

cave johnson is one of my favorite video game characters

How is it possible for me to stay focus on video topics im not normally invested/interested in ? You remind me , as story telling of Thomas the Tank Engine and things i dont normally bother to understand it feels like i know them all my life because of how you make your videos . This is a strong channel , to be invested in something i dont normally try to explore myself

I like the Cave/Carolyn is Chel's parents theory because of all the hints. 1. Cave & Carolyn's implied romance 2. Chel having a C name 3. Chel's science project being in that facility for "Bring your daughter to work day." 4. GLaDOS' judgemental comments to Chel about her parents and appearance. 5. GLaDOS' Opera lyrics translation and closing Song to Chel as she escapes the facility, implying care and worry.

I grew up with Gravity Falls and knowing the same voice for Stanford and Cave are Simmons it always makes me think that these two geniuses are the same person

Great acting with phenomenal writing, this is my personal way of describing C. Johnson

Great video as always Skyrionn! I also thought about the theory of Chell being the child of Cave and Caroline... However one thing doesn't add up about this theory, if GLaDOS is Caroline's conciousness... How come GLaDOS doesn't really recognize Chell? Infact, why would she try and kill her own daughter? One easter egg that adds to the theory is about Chell's creation in the Aperture Science fair where she basically made a growing potato... We know Chell stuck around Aperture probably more than anyone else, so her parents most likely played a significant rule there. We also know her "brain damage" refers from her of remembering anything that happened, so its not like she could show who her real parents are, or even know where to look... Also GLaDOS laughing about Chell being an orphan... Its funny because if the theory is true she is laughing at her own daughter for not having parents. I don't think this theory is too much far fetched, and im sure Cave and Caroline had some moments between them but I still can't quite make the connection on Chell being their daughter all things considered. We know GLaDOS also kinda lost her memory not knowing she was Caroline untill she was re-introduced to Cave's voice, but I would expect from her to remember her daughter when she did remember who she really was. I hope all of this can be explained in later instalments.

I am currently plan on writing my final essay for one of my courses on the environmental storytelling of Portal 2 (specifically). I just wanted to say your work is amazing and insightful. You're awesome.

Cave & Caroline being Chell's parents is always a fun one, if you make a video about this please make sure to humor similar theories too (like, why not Ratman & Caroline? or some other people we dont actually know (yet)? or hell, why not some link to certain Black Mesa employees? Kleiner & Caroline? Cave & Mossman? why would Chell's parents be redacted from the spreadsheet if it was Cave & Caroline? Why would Glados hate Chell if it was Carolines daughter? etc etc etc, would make for a interesting video!)

now THAT is what i call great content

"Chariots chariots"-- Cave (PRIME)

portal and half life are the only games I can think of that are so drastically different gameplay wise but the stories are intertwined in a way. I love this gaming universe

"Here is some advice from the lab boys in case you get covered in the repulsion gel. *Pages flipping sound... Do not get covered in the repulsion gel. We haven't nailed down what element it is, but it's a lively one, and it does not like the human skeleton"

It was so sad to know that cave is living forever, after playing "Aperture desk job"! 23:50 I totally agree that he's one of the best fictional characters right there! Portal was so well written that it still has the potential to make another sequel to this day even after more than a decade! Great videos keep it going!!!

The fact that you update your info is baller moves. Keep it up. Fantastic video

Love the video, man. From how old this game is it is hard to find an original lore video, especially one made so recent. Well done.

I learnt the phrase "When life gives you lemons make lemonade" from Cave Johnson.

For the algorithm! I’ve been binging your videos lately, and I’ve got to say, you are VERY good at this. Love it!

When I heard the thing about the army of mantis men, I was like whaat!! One of my favorite books, Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith (and the sequel, Exile from Eden) is about a science company who does some weird testing and there's a bunker that people have to hide in because people started turning into 8 ft tall praying mantises! Wow! Also a wonderfully crafted video

Your work is much appreciated my dude!

It kind of sounded like Cave Johnson's VA almost laughed when talking about building a combustible lemon at the end lol

Cave's lemon rants are on par with Markipliers rants saying that he's not a masochist

This video is amazing!!!! great writing with awesome b roll! sharing this with my friends

Absolutely stellar video on Cave Johnson, thank you so much for this amazing analysis

Only 23,000 views? You were right the algorithm is shit. This is such a good video!

Wait so they are seperate universes? Thats a shame. I thought Desk Job was canon, meaning Cave is still alive.

20:49 I don't know why, but hearing Blaperture Mesa made me laugh so hard.

I'm so glad you talked about the multiverse, I never even heard of the money-verse! Great video as usual, keep up the work!

I feel like it's plausible that a Cave Johnson from another universe started the combine

Its ironic when you think about it that it was his portal technology that created a series of events leading to the resonance cascade and the Combine takeover and now that technology might save the planet.

Love your content bro, it really helps me to relax, always watch before bed with my dog :) keep it up, I always watch your videos about half life!

All right, I've been thinking when life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade! Make life take the lemons back! Get mad! I don't want your damn lemons! What am I supposed to do with these? Demand to see life's manager. Make life rue the day it thought it could give Cave Johnson lemons! Do you know who I am? I'm the man who's gonna burn your house down- with the lemons! I'm gonna get my engineers to invent a combustible lemon that burns down your house down! - Me

8:07 is basically Valve nowadays. Interesting.

the moral of the story: don't develop high tech shower curtains

Thanks for making videos, always interesting.

The fact that this also contains Aperture Desk Job lore is realy impressive

This game is excellent on so many levels. Thank you for this piece on Cave Johnson. If you haven't done so already, please take on The Talos Principle.

Love the video! I had completely forgotten about his multiverse adventures, damn! Never really got far into Portal 2, but I have heard and seen videos. Much in the same way, the ending of Alex (as I understand.) may lead back to Cave making a triumpant return... If a certain company can stop dancing the Two Step!

I don't think the shower curtains had anything special about them, but were invented by Cave in Valve's universe. Cave sold them in 1943, while in the real world shower curtains were invented in 1953 by a man named Janus Wittrup

After being in a portal mood for awhile I decided to listen to his lemon rant again, and now I’m actually working on a combustible lemon and have all the instructions down

Fabulous thank you!

Cave and Aperture is an allegory for Gabe and Valve. Actual valves and apertures function similarly. And Gabe starting in games, moving to technology, becoming a billionaire and now focusing on BCI and eventually downloading brains. Aperture also constantly tests prototypes and never gets around to completing/releasing them.

Always love to hear about portal lore

That pre-Combine coast at the start of the video looks amazing.

It must have took ages putting this video together. Well done.

The lemon monologue is my ring tone. I thought someone was calling me but the realized it was the video 😂

“Well that’s a corner cutting machine, we obliviously cut them there.”

The funny thing is, this isn't the first time J.K. Simmons has voiced a scientist who has something to do with portals, with an assistant that goes (somewhat) insane.

This and all other Valve games is the only game where I sit down and watch the lore videos / icebergs. Partly because the games are interesting and mind-blowing.

rly love ur vids man

Aperture kinda reminds me of Valve. Doing great in there earlier years but slowed down as the years went on after being on top.

Great info!

Nice video, well done on all the information that most people wouldn't have known. However, just a personal thought of just me, I would have enjoyed it better if you did played some of the audio of Cave Johnson recordings and/or statements when you did mention them. Reason for that is because it has been awhile since I played those games and I felt like your statements about Cave recordings would have hit harder by hearing him arguing about Lemons.

Underrated channel

Great video

In another universe cave saves humanity!

I for one would love to see a video done about Cave and Caroline's potential relationship!

Good video! I've never heard a word about the CaveVerse. That's hilarious, someone needs to tell me where I can find that stuff

I don't think that C-AI-ve Johnson (see what I did there?) happens in a multiverse. I think Cave was put into an actual AI shell, we just don't see him in either of the current portal games.

uh, fine. I've seen like thousand johnson lores. 1 more won't hurt, especialy fresh one

Awesome video

This could be the ultimate portal lore! The lore behind...... ......Chell

I've always liked the name Cave, I'm guessing it's because Aperture science was Cave's cave.

It would be great if you explored more about the theory that Cave Johnson was based on Steve Jobs, including the topic of wanting to immortalize himself in AI and the regret of not having explored that technology in time.

Thanks very much!

I wouldn't be surprised if some of Cave's work become instrumental in Gordon and friends' effort to bring down the Combine.

wow this is really good!

great video.

chain: when life gives you lemons, make life take the lemons back

“Brought all the greatest minds together to make shower curtains” I refuse to believe that you didnt burst out laughing.

I just now realized that cave Johnson was voiced by J.K Simmons XD that’s awesome

Aperture Fixtures We sell shower curtains because we can For the good of all of us Except the ones who take baths

Nice Video

I love this character so much